First Debate Transcript: Page 5

Oct. 3 --

LEHRER: New question.

How would you go about, as president, deciding when it was in thenational interest to use U.S. force? Generally.

BUSH: Well, if it’s in our vital national interests. And thatmeans whether or not our territory — our territory is threatened, ourpeople could be harmed, whether or not our alliances — our defensealliances are threatened, whether or not our friends in the MiddleEast are threatened. That would be a time to seriously consider theuse of force.

Secondly, whether or not the mission was clear, whether or not itwas a clear understanding as to what the mission would be.

Thirdly, whether or not we were prepared and trained to win,whether or not our forces were of high morale and high standing andwell-equipped.

And finally, whether or not there was an exit strategy.

I would take the use of force very seriously. I would be guardedin my approach. I don’t think we can be all things to all people inthe world. I think we’ve got to be very careful when we commit ourtroops.

The vice president and I have a disagreement about the use oftroops. He believes in nation-building. I would be very carefulabout using our troops as nation builders.

I believe the role of the military is to fight and win warand, therefore, prevent war from happening in the first place.

And so I take my responsibility seriously. And it starts withmaking sure we rebuild our military power.

Morale in today’s military is too low. We’re having troublemeeting recruiting goals. We met the goals this year, but in theprevious years, we have not met recruiting goals. Some of our troopsare not well-equipped. I believe we’re overextended in too manyplaces.

And, therefore, I want to rebuild the military power. It startswith a billion dollar pay raise for the men and women who wear theuniform, a billion dollars more than the president recently signedinto law, to make sure our troops are well-housed and well-equipped;bonus plans to keep some of our high-skilled folks in the services;and a commander in chief who clearly sets the missions, and themission is to fight and win war, and, therefore, prevent war fromhappening in the first place.

LEHRER: Vice President Gore, one minute.